Trap

ABSTRACT

Animal trap ( 10 ) comprises at least one base member ( 12 ) for contact with ground, at least one frame member ( 18 ) pivotally arranged with respect to at least one base member ( 12 ) and release mechanism ( 30 ) for holding, in use, at least one frame member ( 18 ) under tension above ground. Netting ( 54 ) attached to at least one frame member ( 18 ) so that when release mechanism ( 30 ) is tripped by animal ( 56 ) entering trap ( 10 ), at least one frame member ( 18 ) pulls netting ( 54 ) over animal ( 56 ) as at least one frame member ( 18 ) falls to ground when tension is released.

[0001] This invention relates to an animal trap and relatesparticularly, though not exclusively, to an animal trap which does notresult in damage to the animal when trapped.

[0002] Prior art animal traps are generally based on the closing jawprinciple where a set of opposing jaws, when tripped, move towards oneanother to clamp the animal's leg therebetween. The jaws usually haveteeth on the sides to bite into the flesh of the animal to preventescape. The trap is fastened to the ground with a chain and the animalcan thrash about trying to remove the trap from its leg. Such traps arecruel as animals may break a leg, or bleed to death, until the hunterreturns to check the traps. Unfortunately, traps do not distinguishbetween pests, harmless wildlife and even humans. Although the traps maybe set for rabbits or foxes, it is likely that harmless native wildlifeor a human being may trip the trap.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an animaltrap which does not rely on the clamping to a limb to capture theanimal.

[0004] A further object of the invention is to provide an animal trapwhich causes less stress to the captured animal and reduces the risk ofdamage to the animal.

[0005] With these and other objects in view the present inventionprovides an animal trap including at least one base member for providingcontact of said trap with the ground, at least one frame member arrangedwith respect to said at least one base member, a release mechanism forholding, in use, said at least one frame member under tension above theground and netting attached to said at least one frame member whereby,in use, when said release mechanism is tripped by an animal enteringsaid trap, said at least one tensioned frame member pulls said nettingover said animal as said at least one frame member falls to the groundwhen said tension is released.

[0006] Preferably said at least one frame member is a loop which lies onthe ground in its released position and where a portion thereof is heldabove the ground when under tension. In one practical embodiment a rodis coiled to form a pair of substantially co-axial loops where the freeends of said rod are adjacent each other whereby one loop forms said atleast one base member and the other loop forms said at least one framemember. Preferably one of said free ends is pivotally attached to aframe element secured to said one loop and the other of said free endsis secured to said frame element.

[0007] In a further practical embodiment a rod is coiled to form a pairof substantially co-axial loops where the free ends of said rod areadjacent each other on opposing sides of said coiled rod whereby a partof each loop forms a pair of base members and the other part of eachloop forms a pair of frame members.

[0008] In order that the invention may be more readily understood andput into practical effect, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an animaltrap made in accordance with the invention with the trap being set;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an end view of the animal trap shown in FIG. 1 showingthe trap in the tripped position;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of the animal trap shown in FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction ofarrows 4-4 shown in FIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a top view of the animal trap shown in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area indicated in FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction ofarrows 7-7 shown in FIG. 6;

[0016]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated in FIG. 5;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an animaltrap made in accordance with the invention with the trap being set;

[0018]FIG. 10 is an end view of the animal trap shown in FIG. 9 showingthe trap in the tripped position;

[0019]FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the components of the animal trapshown in FIG. 9 in the collapsed position;

[0020]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the components of the animal trapshown in the position shown in FIG. 10;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a side view of the animal trap shown in FIG. 9;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a side view of the animal trap shown in FIG. 10;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an animaltrap made in accordance with the invention with the trap being set;

[0024]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the release mechanism of the trapshown in FIG. 15 in the first stage of setting the trap of FIG. 15;

[0025]FIG. 17 is a similar view to that of FIG. 16 showing a secondstage of setting the trap of FIG. 15;

[0026]FIG. 18 is a similar view to that of FIG. 16 showing a third stageof setting the trap of FIG. 15; and

[0027]FIG. 19 is a similar view to that of FIG. 16 showing the setposition of the trap of FIG. 15.

[0028] In the drawings a first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 whichshows an animal trap 10 having a base member 12 formed from an arcuateframe element 14 and a circular base 16. Although an arcuate frameelement 14 is shown in this embodiment the shape, orientation, etc canbe varied to suit requirements e.g. V-shaped. Arcuate frame element 14and/or circular base 16 can be pegged (not shown) to the ground toensure the animal trap 10 cannot be moved or tipped over. Circular base16 is formed from a length of coiled rod to form two loops 16 and 18,best seen in FIG. 3. One end 20 is fastened e.g. by welding to arcuateframe element 14 at 22. The coiled rod is also fastened at 24 to arcuateframe element 14. The other end of the coiled rod has a bearing sleeve26 which slides over free end 28 of arcuate frame element 14 to form apivot for loop 18. The coiled rod and arcuate frame element 14 arepreferably formed of steel rod but could be made from any suitablematerial that can be flexed e.g. fibreglass.

[0029] In order to set the animal trap a release mechanism 30 is needed.In the embodiment shown release mechanism 30 has a plate 32 which issecured across frame element 14 and circular base 16 by U-shapedbrackets 34 and bolts 36. A plunger 38 in the shape of an L-shaped rodis adapted to slide in apertures of upstanding brackets 40 attached toplate 32. Plunger 38 is biased by spring 42 to move between thepositions shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. Tensioning of spring 42 is by aslidable tiltable lock washer 44 which are commonly used to hold openhydraulic struts typically used in fly wire doors. A pin 46 acts as astop when setting the trap.

[0030] To complete release mechanism 30, a cable 48 is provided whichhas a loop 50 at one end for engagement with plunger 38. At the otherend there is a further loop or sling 52 which slides along loop 18.Loosely fitting netting 54 is attached to loop 18 to prevent escape ofanimal 56 when trap 10 has been tripped.

[0031] In use, animal trap 10 comes as a flat package when stored asseen in FIG. 6. The package is light in weight and many traps can becarried to a site if needed. The trap 10 is set up as shown in FIG. 3with loops 16,18 lying on the ground. Loop or circular base 16 ispreferably held to the ground by stakes or other similar device toensure that the trapped animal does not escape by lifting loop 16. Frameelement 14 may also be staked to the ground. In order to set the trapL-shaped plunger 38 is moved to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 torest against 46 and spring 42 is tensioned by shifting washer 44 alongplunger 46 and engaging washer 44 against plunger 38. Loop 18 is thenbent upwards to pivot about free end 28 of frame element 14 as seen inFIGS. 1 and 5. Loop 18 will be under tension and can be held in theposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 by locating loop 50 over the end ofplunger 46. A bait (not shown) is linked to plunger 46 for the animal totake. The plunger 46 will, when tugged, unbalance washer 44 to releasespring 42 and cause plunger 46 to rotate and move to the position shownin FIGS. 3 and 5. Loop 50 will be freed from plunger 46 causing loop 18to instantly be forced to the ground under the previously held tension.The sequence of this operation is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. Asnetting 54 is attached to loop 18 the netting will fall over animal 56trapping the animal underneath. As the animal cannot push loop 18upwards due to the required tension, the animal remains trapped in thenetting 54. As no jaws are used, the animal will not suffer injury frombeing trapped in this manner.

[0032] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 to 14.In this embodiment the release mechanism 58 is the same as that used inrelation to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 and the same referencenumerals will be used to avoid repetition of description. In thisembodiment animal 56 has two entrances 60,62 in which to enter trap 64.Trap 64 uses the tensioned loop principle depicted in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 to 8. A half loop 66 has apertured tabs 68, 69 at eachend which allow half loop 66 to stand up from the ground as shown inFIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 14. Again a coiled rod 72 (best seen in FIGS. 11 and12) is used to form two loops 74,76 in a similar manner to loops 16,18in FIGS. 1 to 8. The difference is that apertured tabs 78,80 areprovided at the free ends of coiled rod 72 and a further set ofapertured tabs 82,84 are provided on rod 72 diametrically opposite toapertured tabs 78,80. An additional tab 79 is also on rod 72 and ispositioned between tabs 68,78. In use, tabs 82,84 and 69 are pivotallyattached together by bolt 86 whilst tabs 80,68,79 and 78 are pivotallyattached together by bolt 88.

[0033] Release mechanism 58 is secured to half loop 66 and will not befurther described. To complete release mechanism 58 a two cables 90,92are provided which have respective loops 94,96 at one end for engagementwith plunger 38. At the respective ends there are further loops orslings 98,100 which slide along loop 76,74 respectively. Loosely fittingnetting 102 is attached to loops 76,74 and sits on half loop 66 toprevent escape of animal 56 when the trap has been tripped.

[0034] In use, release mechanism 58 will be set as previously describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. Half loop 66 will stand vertically asshown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The part 104 of loop 76 closest to tab 80 israised from the ground by pivoting about bolt 88 whilst the part 106furthest from tab 80 lies on the ground, preferably pegged (not shown)to form entrance 60. Similarly, the part 108 of loop 74 closest to tab78 is raised from the ground by pivoting about bolt 88 whilst the part110 furthest from tab 78 lies on the ground, preferably pegged (notshown) to form entrance 62. The parts 104,108 will be under tension andcan be held in the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 by placing loops94,96 50 over the end of plunger 38. On tripping of release mechanism 58the parts 104,108 of loops 76,74 will be freed from plunger 38 causingthese parts to instantly be forced to the ground under the previouslyheld tension. The sequence of this operation is shown in phantom linesin FIG. 13. As netting 54 is attached to loops 74,76 the netting 102will fall over animal 56 trapping the animal underneath as shown in FIG.10. Half loop 66 will remain in the vertical position to provide moreroom for the trapped animal to move to cause less stress thereto.

[0035] FIGS. 15 to 19 depict a third embodiment of an animal trap madein accordance with the invention. This embodiment is a variation of thefirst embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 and operates in a similar manner.The release mechanism 30 and arcuate frame element 14 of FIGS. 1 to 8have been replaced by release mechanism 120. Release mechanism 120 has abase plate 122 which is secured to the ground by peg 124. Two loops126,128 are formed from a length of coiled rod with loop 126 beingfastened to the ground with pegs 130,132 whilst loop 128 is onlyfastened to the ground by peg 132. One end 134 of the coiled rod extendsthrough an inner set of eyes 136,138 on base plate 122 whilst the otherend 140 forms an end of a hook 142. Hook 142 has a bend 144 which pivotsabout an outer eye 146 on base plate 122. Loop 128 is held to base plate122 by an second set of eyes 148,150.

[0036] To complete the release mechanism 120 a pair of trip arms 152,154are pivotally coupled to respective eyes 156,158 secured to base plate122. Eyes 156,158 are at angle to one another. A stop member 160, e.g. aheaded bolt, provides a stop for trip arm 154.

[0037] In use, loop 128 will have netting 54 attached thereto. Loops126,128 will rest on the ground in the released state as indicated byphantom lines 162 (FIG. 15). Loop 126 will be fastened to the ground bypegs 130,132 whilst loop 128 will only be fastened to the ground by peg132 to provide a pivot point. Base plate 122 will also be secured to theground by peg 124. A part of loop 128 will be raised from the ground tothe initial position shown by phantom lines 164 to the full positionshown in FIG. 15 by pulling on hook 142 or loop 128 itself. Loop 128will be under tension and must be held by release mechanism 120 in thisraised position. Netting 54 will be lifted up with loop 128 to providean entrance to the trap from the front 166 thereof.

[0038] Hook 142 is latched to base plate 122 in the operation sequenceshown in FIGS. 16 to 19. In FIG. 16 trip arms 152,154 have not been set.Hook 142 is positioned under trip arm 152 whilst trip arm 154 ispositioned over trip arm 152 as shown in FIG. 17. Trip arms 152,154together with hook 142 are moved in the direction of the arrows to theposition shown in phantom lines at 168. A trip cord 170 is then fittedto release mechanism 120 (FIG. 18). Trip cord 170 has a hook 172 at oneend for engaging with trip arm 154 and a bait (not shown) at the otherend. Trip arm 154 is then shifted to the position shown in phantom lines170 (FIG. 18) to the set position in FIG. 19. Trip arm 154 will belocked under the head of stop member 160 under tension from trip arm 152and hook 142. When animal 56 takes the bait, trip cord 170 will pull onhook 172 to displace trip arm 154 and release trip arm 152. Trip arm 152will be assisted in its release by the tension from hook 142. Once hook142 is released, loop 128, with its pivotal connection to eye 146, willbe immediately pulled to the ground to cover the animal with netting 54and trap the animal.

[0039] The invention is not restricted to the type of release mechanisms30,58,120 depicted in the preferred embodiments as other mechanisms canreadily be substituted e.g. solenoid or other trigger mechanisms.Infrared or other wireless trip devices can also be used. Similarly,cables 48,90,92 could be substituted by other means e.g. solenoids orother forms of latching device. By using the release mechanism shown inFIGS. 15 to 19 the need for cables 48,90,92 is avoided. Although thepreferred embodiments relate to animal traps the invention has equalapplicability to birds and reptiles and any type of living beingrequiring capture.

[0040] The invention will be understood to embrace many furthermodifications as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the artand which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit ofthe invention, there having been set forth herein only the broad natureof the invention and a certain specific embodiments by way of example.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. An animal trapincluding at least one base member for providing contact of said trapwith the ground, at least one frame member pivotally attached to said atleast one base member, a release mechanism for holding, in use, said atleast one frame member under tension above the ground and nettingattached to said at least one frame member whereby, in use, when saidrelease mechanism is tripped by an animal entering said trap, said atleast one tensioned frame, member pulls said netting over said animal assaid at least one frame member falls to the ground when said tension isreleased.
 2. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein said at least one framemember is a loop which lies on the ground in its released position andwhere a portion thereof is held above the ground when under tension. 3.The animal trap of claim 1, wherein a rod is coiled to form a pair ofsubstantially co-axial loops where the free ends of said rod areadjacent each other whereby one loop forms said at least one base memberand the other loop forms said at least one frame member.
 4. The animaltrap of claim 3, wherein one of said free ends is pivotally attached toa frame element secured to said one loop and the other of said free endsis secured to said frame element.
 5. The animal trap of claim 1, whereina rod is coiled to form a pair of substantially co-axial loops where thefree ends of said rod are adjacent each other on opposing sides of saidcoiled rod whereby a part of each loop forms a pair of base members andthe other part of each loop forms a pair of frame members.
 6. The animaltrap of claim 5, wherein said free ends of said rod are pivotallycoupled together and to said coiled rod therebetween.
 7. The animal trapof claim 6, wherein said loops are also pivotally coupled togetherdiametrally opposite the pivotal coupling of said free ends of said rod.8. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein a rod is coiled to form a pair ofsubstantially co-axial loops whereby one loop forms said at least onebase member and the other loop forms said at least one frame member. 9.The animal trap of claim 8, further including a base plate which isadapted to be secured to the ground, said base plate including retainingmeans for attaching thereto said loops and the free ends of said rod.10. The animal trap of claim 9, wherein said rod includes a hook portionwhich is pivotally attached to said base plate at the bend of said hookportion.
 11. The animal trap of claim 10, wherein said hook portion isheld by said release mechanism when said trap is set.
 12. The animaltrap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cord is coupled tosaid release mechanism at one end and to a bait at the other end. 13.The animal trap of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said atleast one frame member is, in use, staked to the ground.